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Most Harbaugh historians can tell you the 49ers coach was a teammate of Panthers coach Ron Rivera with the Bears from 1987-92.

A lesser known fact – perhaps only known to those with an advanced degree in All Things Jim – is that Harbaugh’s NFL career lasted so long that he was also teammates with one of Rivera’s players: wide receiver Steve Smith.

In 2001, Harbaugh, 49, was wrapping up his 15-year career with the Panthers just as Smith, 34, was starting out. The pair will reconnect on Sunday when the 49ers host Carolina at Candlestick Park.

In his nine-game stint with the Panthers, Harbaugh didn’t play in a game, but he discovered the rookie third-round pick just might turn into a decent NFL wide receiver. Harbaugh and Smith, who had 10 catches in his first season, were regulars on the Panthers’ scout team during practice.

“I would just go back and throw it to Steve,” Harbaugh said in a conference call with the North Carolina media. “I had so much fun in those practices throwing to him because he was so good, he would just catch everything. His catch radius was everywhere.

Jim Harbaugh #5 of the Carolina Panthers attempts to pass

Harbaugh in 2001. (AP)

“I could just hit the seven-step and just let it fly in his direction. It was a great feeling to have the ball come off my finger and see it going his direction, and then he would make some kind of spectacular catch. It was real enjoyment.”

Twelve years later, Smith has made plenty of spectacular catches when it counts. He ranks 29th in NFL history in receptions (808), 23rd in receiving yards (11,839) and 18th in all-purpose yards (16,249).

At 34, Smith is still producing. He leads the Panthers in receptions (36), ranks second in yards (387) and shares team-high honors with three touchdowns.

Harbaugh said he could see Smith’s wild success coming more than a decade ago.

“I don’t think I’m very surprised,” he said. “He’s one of the all-time greats at the position. I could go back and talk about that because that was my last year in football, that was the last time I even played football. Steve Smith has done great things since then. I didn’t do anything.”